"Young black men, who hear themselves described as 'an endangered species,' do not see themselves surviving into middle age, where long-term health becomes an issue. Even after being exposed to persuasive anti-drug appeals, many urban youth see no need to change their behavior. Interestingly, many youth view marijuana as 'not a real drug,' and far too many believe 'it can't really harm me.' Hence, its use becomes an accepted part of their social scene… By some estimates, 35% of inner-city Black boys and 11% of Black girls who are between the ages of 10 and 17, and live in low-income and at-risk environments, regularly use drugs as a way to numb themselves from the effects of their daily reality. According to Dr. Wade Noble, a prominent Black psychologist, urban youth are 'doing something artificially to protect and/or insulate themselves from this reality.' According to one MEE respondent, 'everybody's looking for an escape.'"
